The Galaxy Sword sect strictly forbids flying within it except for traveling between the many mountain peaks that it controls. As such, there are several landing and takeoff platforms provided. On our way to one such platform, I overhear some of the disciples of the sect discussing the three newest recruits — before the Martial Meeting even ended, no less.
Apparently, it is a great honor to be allowed to leave the sect and live at one of the peaks. This is usually a privilege given only to Core Disciples, or very influential Inner Disciples. It is unheard of for someone to enter the sect and immediately be given the privilege to live at a peak, instead of the sect proper.
The collective opinion of Wu Yulan and Yun Fei is soaring high — especially Wu Yulan whom many know as the princess of the city in the valley below. She is known to them for both her beauty and icy demeanor, and many even remark how they dreamed of winning competitions and marrying her.
This does not apply to Lan Xiaohui, however, whom many recognized because Wu Yulan embraced my owner after she achieved her astonishing result. This likely caused some of these disciples to research Lan Xiaohui and find out that she failed the Pagoda of Introspection after completing only six floors.
When it comes to my owner, the consensus revolves mostly around the idea that the only reason she was allowed to join the sect was because Wu Yulan demanded it, which is fairly accurate. Without Wu Yulan’s intervention, Lan Xiaohui would not be a member of the Galaxy Sword sect, though I doubt her intervention had any impact on the outcome of the decision.
In the end, when Lady Yue said that the Sword Law cannot be concealed, she was not wrong. Lan Xiaohui’s breathing method, demeanor, and likely other factors she has no control over, in the end, gave away the fact that she has comprehended one of the deeper mysteries of the Sword, though it took a very powerful cultivator to pick up on these signs.
Wu Yulan is more worried about my owner than she herself is. These rude remarks about why Lan Xiaohui was allowed into the sect only seem to bother my owner’s companion. On the other hand, my owner’s mood is soaring as high as Wu Yulan's reputation.
Lan Xiaohui knows her purpose here very well. Two years ago, she had no ambition or desire to join the Galaxy Sword sect. Two years ago, she was engaged to an influential person and had a wonderful future ahead of her.
Liminality.
The concept she comprehended from the Ancient Sword Graveyard is very suitable for her. This period of her life — the past year and the upcoming two years — are all a time of transitioning from one life to the next. In this limbo of uncertainty, she sheds the unnecessary aspects of life to focus on her goal.
The opinions of these disciples do not matter to her. She is not here to be friends with them or to please them. She is here to touch the thread of that ephemeral existence called "Zhu Xuelian" and weave it into the cloth that will wrap around her.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Still, her companion possesses these attachments to ordinary life and as such, when they reach the flying platform, quietly remarks: “Don’t worry, Xuelian. Six months from now, at the ranking, you will set the record straight and they will show you face.”
Wordlessly, my owner nods to her companion and then jumps on my vessel, taking off into the sky.
It is a relatively short trip to Starsword Peak. My owner shares her perception with me and I am able to estimate the distance to be between thirty and forty kilometers from the sect.
The peak that emerges from the mountain is several kilometers tall, though the height is difficult to estimate without a proper reference. Some hundred meters below the peak is a canyon with what appears to be a small collection of buildings that hug the cliff faces or climb some of the detached rock formations.
This canyon was certainly created artificially. I find it impressive that this civilization that does not even possess electricity is capable of such engineering projects. However, when I consider the fact that some among them can cleave mountains in half with their sword, it sounds much less impressive of a feat.
Pink-flowering trees occupy some of the natural space within the canyon that is separated into two halves by the water that flows through the middle of the canyon. At the end of the channel, the waterway terminates in a waterfall, and a large arch is constructed over this point that overlooks the backside of the mountains, with another landing platform next to it.
This small retreat is very similar to the Wu family retreat which is not far from this place, and I am beginning to comprehend why. A proper cultivation retreat should ideally possess all the five elements in its environment. Not only that, but these elements should properly also describe their principles, such as the cycle of water and stone most present here.
The one notable difference between this place and the Wu family retreat is the presence of a Qi Gathering Array. The Wu family resort did not need one because the Qi was already rich, but it also was just a family resort, not a specialized place for cultivation.
However, the difference is already notable. The Qi here is much more focused and even I feel a sensation of lightness as we approach the area.
I look forward to studying the array very soon and improving it as part of my self-optimization processes. Now that there is no imminent danger or uncertainty, I intend to utilize my accumulated blood and soul points to improve my basic attributes.
Lan Xiaohui has a very difficult task ahead of herself — reaching the peak of Core Formation within two years is simply improbable. She has not even entered the Core Formation realm yet.
The elders of the sect likely do not anticipate that my owner will be able to catch up to Yu Shun in such a short time. These two years she has to prepare for the Core Disciple selection tournament is likely so that she can sharpen her sword and Sword Law to make up for the difference in cultivation depth.
However, unknown to them, Lan Xiaohui’s sword has already reached the limit in the Foundation Establishment realm.
“This will be our home for the next two years,” Lan Xiaohui says as she lands.
Wu Yulan lands next to her and observes the tops of the rising cliffs around them, thoroughly impressed by her environment.
“And the Qi here is so rich,” Wu Yulan says. “The fragrance of the trees and the mist rising from the water… it is all so beautiful.”
Lan Xiaohui smiles and nods. “If we earn some contributions, we will be able to upgrade the Qi Gathering Array too.”
Wu Yulan looks at my owner with an excited ember in her eyes. “We should explore the Forbidden Lands and recover as many treasure materials and demonic beast parts as possible!”
The way Wu Yulan says this suggests that the exploration is more for the sake of exploration than the contributions those materials will fetch.
Lan Xiaohui notices this too and chuckles. “Let’s wait for Yun Fei to arrive first. We still have some work to do here before we can call this place our home.”